Falklands row escalates as UK hits back at Argentina Milei’s claim

The UK has pushed back against the fresh Falklands claims issued by the Argentinian president on Friday.

According to president Javier Milei during a national televised speech, “the winds of change were blowing around the world” in favour of his country’s claims to the Falklands, emboldened by Trump’s remarks .

Earlier this week, President Trump suggested that the US is reconsidering its position of neutrality of Falklands sovereignty.

Mr Milei said in a national tv speech, “I want to be quite clear with everybody. The Falklands are Argentinian. Historically and legally. There can be no argument. They are part of the Argentine territory.”

The defence secretary, Wes Streeting, responded to Milei’s statement, “It tells us more about domestic politics in Argentina than it does about the Falkland Islands.”

He added on X, “The Falklands are British because Falkland Islanders choose to be British. Our commitment to the Falklands is absolute and unshakeable.”

Lucy Powell, the education secretary, also insisted the islands belonged to the British, adding, “We will defend the right of those who live in the Falkland Islands to determine their own future.”

Besides renewing claims over the Falklands, Milei threatened to impose sanctions on the Sea Lion oilfield, located about 130 miles from the islands and holding an estimated 1.7 billion barrels of oil, due to exploration overtures driven by Britain and Israeli firms.

He also announced a new funding for a naval base in the southernmost province of Tierra del Fuego to bolster military presence.

The Falklands sovereignty issue has persisted for over 40 years since the 1982 Falklands war. In the 2013 referendum, the 99.8% islanders decided to be part of the British overseas territory.